News
SHOC op de diploma-uitreiking van de VUB!
Afgelopen maandag namen verschillende leden van de SHOC-onderzoeksgroep deel aan de diploma-uitreiking van de VUB op de iconische Grote Markt in Brussel.
New chapter begins: Make-Up of the City becomes Make-Up of the Cities!
Building on the success of the Make-Up of the City project , SHOC members Bart Lambert, Patxi Perez Ramallo and Charlotte Van Riet, alongside colleagues from other VUB research groups, now launch the next phase in their interdisciplinary exploration of Flanders’ medieval urban past, Make-Up of the...
SHOC member Ward Leloup wins paleography contest
On 4 October, 41 palaeographers from Flanders and the Netherlands gathered in St-Truiden for the finals of the Wat Staat Daer? Palaeography Contest. After a tough online preselection, the finalists faced the challenge of transcribing three texts from the 14th, 16th and 17th centuries.
SHOC members Brent Huygh and William Torbeyns secure PhD funding
SHOC did very well in this year’s FWO PhD funding competition ! Congratulations to Brent Huygh and William Torbeyns, who both secured funding for their doctoral research.
Lukas Van Oost starts at SHOC
Lukas (b. 2000) studied History at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (2022–2025) and Art History at Ghent University (2018–2022). His research centers on the colonial history of Central Africa.
VACANCY: PhD researcher at the VUB (Social History of Capitalism research group) and Ghent University (History Department)
VACANCY for a doctoral researcher at the VUB (Social History of Capitalism research group) and Ghent University (History Department) in the FWO project “Blaming and Shaming by Ordinary Villagers: Rural Perspectives on Social Control in Flanders, c. 1400–1600”.
Hora est: Drs Wink becomes Dr Wink!
On Monday, 22 September, our colleague Jurriaan Wink successfully defended his PhD in Amsterdam.
We're thrilled to welcome Nel de Mûelenaere as the newest member of our research group
Nel de Mûelenaere is Associate Professor of Contemporary History, holder of the chair Traces of Resistance , and head of the VUB history program. Her research focuses on the lived experience of the two World Wars in Belgium.
Axel joins SHOC’s TvO team!
We’re pleased to announce that, starting in September 2025, Axel Van der Maelen will be joining SHOC as a TvO student.
New chapter ahead: Mathijs Speecke joins SHOC!
As of 1 October, Mathijs Speecke (°1993, Roeselare) joins SHOC as a postdoctoral researcher.
Welcome, TVO student Arne Vinck!
Arne Vinck (°1994) is joining SHOC as a Talent-for-Research student. He obtained his Bachelor in Education (Secondary Education Dutch and History) at Arteveldehogeschool Gent in 2017.
Introducing The Foragers, an arts and science crossover
We are proud to introduce The Foragers: Engagements Beyond the Human , a series of talks, screenings and an exhibition building bridges between arts and sciences.
Meet Rhea Mertes, our new SHOC researcher!
Rhea Mertes obtained a Master’s degree in History at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) in 2025. During these studies, she developed a particular interest in social mobility in the late middle ages.
Noémi Tomaszynski joins SHOC as a Talent for Research Student!
Noémi began her studies in History at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) in 2022. Her academic interests include socio-economic and migration history, with a particular focus on the Middle Ages.
New article by SHOC member Bas Spliet and Anne E. C. McCants
In a new article in Economic History Review , Centre for Urban History and SHOC researcher Bas Spliet and Anne McCants measure the cost of the early modern consumer revolution.
Bob Pierik joins SHOC!
As of 1 September, Bob Pierik will join VUB and the SHOC research group as an assistant professor of early modern history. Bob's research focuses on the history of everyday life and urban space.
New article by SHOC member Wout Saelens
Smoky, dirty, unhealthy. That is how peat and coal were long perceived in the early modern period. So why did households start bringing them home, just as ideals of cleanliness and health were gaining ground?
Daan Huysman joins SHOC as a TVO student!
From September 2025, Daan Huysman will be part of SHOC as a TVO student. Daan started his studies in History at the VUB (Vrije Universiteit Brussel) in 2023.
Conference Call for Papers- 'Studying Non-Elites in the Medieval Caucasus'
It is with great pleasure that we announce the Call for Papers for the First International Conference of the Medieval Caucasus Network, entitled 'Studying Non-Elites in the Medieval Caucasus'. This will take place at Vrije Universiteit Brussel in Brussels, Belgium, on March 13th-14th 2026.
New article by SHOC member Anna Derhaeg and Kaat Wils (University of Leuven)
SHOC member Anna Derhaeg and co-author Kaat Wils (University of Leuven) have published a new article, based on Anna's Master's thesis.
Events
Practical info21/10/2025 - 16:00 - 21/10/2025 - 17:30PhD defence by SHOC member Vicky Vanruysseveldt
SHOC is proud to announce that on 21 October, SHOC member Vicky Vanruysseveldt will defend her doctoral thesis : "On the road with entertainment. Income strategies and mobility among itinerant entertainers in Brabant (1750-1914)", supervised by Prof. Dr. Anne Winter
Practical info21/10/2025 - 19:00 - 21/10/2025 - 21:30The Foragers #1: Film Screening: Up on the Mountain
How do you survive on the margins of capitalism? Join us for the first event in our new series The Foragers with a screening of Up on the Mountain (2022, dir.
Practical info12/11/2025 - 19:00 - 12/11/2025 - 22:00The Foragers #2: Preview Screening: Summer Grass Winter Worm, 12 Nov. 2025, 7 PM, BoZar, Brussels
Join us for the second event in The Foragers series. Filmmaker-anthropologists Martin Saxer and Matjaž Pinter offer an exclusive preview of Summer Grass Winter Worm.
